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The 79th rejoined the 20th Tactical Air Command in 1970, which had
moved to Royal Air Force Station Upper Heyford and upgraded to the
F-111 aircraft. The 79th became the first to be operationally ready
in this new aircraft in all of Europe, and first in the world in the
"E" model.

As part of Joint Task Force Proven Force at Incirlik AirBase,
Turkey, in January 1991, the 79th became the first squadron to employ
the F-111E in combat, supporting operation Desert Storm.
Without sustaining a loss, the "Loco Squadron" flew 293 combat
sorties.

On October 1st, 1991, the squadron was redesignated the 79th
Fighter Squadron due to restructuring within the USAF. In April
1993, the 79th was inactivated and reactivated on January 3rd, 1994 at
Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, USA.

An air-to-air left side view of F-111E aircraft of the 79th, 77th and 55th Tactical Fighter Squadrons in formation
with a 42nd Electronic Countermeasures Squadron EF-111A Raven aircraft over snow-covered mountains in northern
Scotland. DoD photo released to public domain.

An air-to-air left side view of F-111E aircraft of the 79th, 77th and 55th Tactical Fighter Squadrons in formation
with a 42nd Electronic Countermeasures Squadron EF-111A Raven aircraft over snow-covered mountains in northern
Scotland. DoD photo released to public domain.

An air-to-air left side view of F-111E aircraft of the 79th, 77th and 55th Tactical Fighter Squadrons in formation
with a 42nd Electronic Countermeasures Squadron EF-111A Raven aircraft over a lake in northern Scotland. DoD photo
released to public domain.

An air-to-air left side view of a Utah Air National Guard KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft refueling a 79th Tactical
Fighter Squadron F-111E aircraft. A 77th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-111E and a 42nd Electronic Countermeasures
Squadron EF-111A Raven aircraft await their turn while in flight over the northern part of the English Channel.
DoD photo released to public domain.

An air-to-air left side view of a 79th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-111E Aardvarck aircraft, a 42nd Electronic
Countermeasures Squadron EF-111A Raven aircraft, a 77th Tactical Fighter Squadron Aardvarck aircraft and a Utah Air
National Guard KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft flying in formation over the northern part of the English Channel. DoD
photo released to public domain.

An air-to-air left side view of a Utah Air National Guard KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft refueling a 79th Tactical
Fighter Squadron F-111E aircraft. A 77th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-111E and a 42nd Electronic Countermeasures
Squadron EF-111A Raven aircraft stay in close formation while in flight over the northern part of the English Channel.
DoD photo released to public domain.

An air-to-air left side view of a Utah Air National Guard KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft refueling a 79th Tactical
Fighter Squadron F-111E aircraft. A 77th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-111E and a 42nd Electronic Countermeasures
Squadron EF-111A Raven aircraft await their turn while in flight over the northern part of the English Channel.
DoD photo released to public domain.

An air-to-air left side view of F-111E aircraft of the 79th, 77th and 55th Tactical Fighter Squadrons in formation
with a 42nd Electronic Countermeasures Squadron EF-111A Raven aircraft over a valley in northern Scotland.
DoD photo released to public domain.

An air-to-air left side view of a 42nd Electronic Countermeasures Squadron EF-111A Raven aircraft leading F-111E
aircraft of the 79th, 77th and 55th Tactical Fighter Squadrons over Loch Ness, Scotland. DoD photo released to public
domain.

An air-to-air left side view of an F-16C Fighting Falcon aircraft of the 50th Tactical Fighter Wing leading an
EF-111A Raven aircraft of the 42nd Electronic Countermeasures Squadron and an F-111E Aardvark aircraft of the 79th
Tactical Fighter Squadron. These aircraft are part of a larger, 15-aircraft formation taking part in an aerial
review for departing General (GEN) Charles L. Donnelly Jr., commander in chief, US Air Force, Europe and commander,
Allied Air Forces Central Europe. DoD photo released to public domain.

An air-to-air left side view of an F-16C Fighting Falcon aircraft of the 50th Tactical Fighter Wing leading an
EF-111A Raven aircraft of the 42nd Electronic Countermeasures Squadron and an F-111E Aardvark aircraft of the 79th
Tactical Fighter Squadron. These aircraft are part of a larger, 15-aircraft formation taking part in an aerial
review for departing General (GEN) Charles L. Donnelly Jr., commander in chief, US Air Force, Europe and commander,
Allied Air Forces Central Europe.

DoD photo taken on 6 Apr 1987 by Sgt David Nolan, released to public domain.

A left side air-to-air view of an F-111 aircraft dropping four bombs on a target range. The F-111 is flown by the
20th Tactical Fighter Wing, 3rd Air Force, RAF Upper Heyford.

DoD photo taken on 1 Jan 1983 by TSgt Jose Lopez. Released to public domain.
National Archive# NN33300514 2005-06-30

A close-up view of the refueling boom of a Utah Air National Guard KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft as seen from the
cockpit of a 79th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-111E aircraft during an aerial refueling operation.

'79TFS & AMU - 1989'
A combined picture of the 79th TFS and the 79th AMU during a weapons training
deployment (WTD) to Incirlick Air Base, Turkey during 1989. Many of these
same people were again deployed to Incirlick nearly a year later (August 1990)
when Iraq invaded Kuwait. At that time, they were the only offensive United
States land based capability in the Southern Region therefore receiving
coverage by CNN and Time Magazine. That initial WTD deployment evolved over
the following six months into a thoughly effective combat unit with aircraft
and crews from all the 20th TFW's squadrons."

Source: Pages 46 and 47 of "History of the 20th
Fighter Wing and RAF Upper Heyford" 1 January 1994, submitted by Tom
Wetherby, MSgt, (retired) 20th EMS AMMO. Also worked in the Transportation
Sq. as a HGV driver during the Gulf War. 1987 - Sept 1989.

The General Dynamics F-111 is a medium-range strategic bomber,
reconnaissance, and tactical strike aircraft designed in the 1960s. The United
States Air Force (USAF) variants were officially named Aardvark, their
longtime nickname, at their ceremony of retirement from service in 1996. The
only remaining operator of the F-111 is the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF),
and in Australian service the F-111 is known as the Pig.

F-111 WINGS Part 1/5

One of the most effective weapons in the US inventory.

Length: 10 minutes, 0 seconds.

F-111 WINGS Part 2/5

One of the most effective weapons in the US inventory.

Length: 10 minutes, 2 seconds.

F-111 WINGS Part 3/5

One of the most effective weapons in the US inventory.

Length: 10 minutes, 10 seconds.

F-111 WINGS Part 4/5

One of the most effective weapons in the US inventory.

Length: 10 minutes, 5 seconds.

F-111 WINGS Part 5/5

One of the most effective weapons in the US inventory.

Length: 5 minutes, 29 seconds.

F-111 In Profile

A look at the missions and role of the General Dynamics F-111 bomber.

Length: 4 minutes, 39 seconds.

F111 baby!!!!!!!!

No description.

Length: 3 minutes, 4 seconds.

F-111 capsule ejection

F-111 capsule ejection demonstration.

Length: 28 seconds.

F-111 Cockpit

F-111F Crew Escape Module- On Display at the Frontiers of Flight Museum in
Dallas, Texas. Crew Module restored and able to power up.

Length: 35 seconds.

F-111 F Model Cockpit

A more detailed tour of the F-111F Crew Module on display at the Frontiers
of Flight Museum in Dallas, Texas. After 8,000 hours of restoration this
cockpit powers up with multiple systems working.

Length: 3 minutes, 13 seconds.

F111's display at Upper Heyford 92

4 x F111E and 2 x EF111A display at Sky Pagent 92.

Length: 3 minutes, 46 seconds.

79th TFS Notes & Quotes

"The 79th first moved to Upper Heyford from RAF Woodbridge while the
construction of new hangars and facilities was still underway with a
handful of F-100's and converted to the F-111 shortly thereafter and
fortunate to Command the79th from the Squadron's initial arrival.
During my two years as Commander we hosted the Tiger Meet at Heyford
in 1969 and we traveled to Klein Brogel Air Base, Belgium in 1970.
Best regards,
Fred W. Gray."Commander, 79th Tactical Fighter Squadron.

Memorabilia

F-111E of 20 TFW at RAF Valley airshow.

Photo by Steve Brock.

"To make a long story short, my wife's cousin, Nick
Woolcott, saved the 79th TFS bar from destruction. It is
now in his house, which is in the old officer's housing
area [tobacco housing]. Nick is an F-111 maniac, and
amateur base historian, having been born and spent his
life in the village Upper Heyford."
Submitted by Russ Kendall, CMSgt, (Ret).

Related story on Mr. Nick Woolcott can be found on the
"Memorials"
page.

This plaque was found at auction on www.ebay.com, summer of 2004.

An image of a T-shirt made for the 79th TFS in reference to Operation Desert Storm.

Submitted by
Ben Uffen
Swinger fan
The Netherlands

This is not a complete representation of the 79th Tactical Fighter Squadron or the
79th Fighter Squadron.
More photos and info will be added as they are received from participating
squadron personnel.